KEEPING UP TO sPAED

Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)

Written by NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • October 4, 2026

"No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent,

a part of the main."

John Donne



This is a short newsletter in response to the current outbreak of MVD in Rwanda. The purpose of this is to share accurate information to prevent fear, panic and the spread of misinformation. 


The first MVD case was detected at King Faisal Hospital. There are currently 26 reported cases, 18 people isolated & receiving treatment and 8 people have unfortunately succumbed to the illness. 


MVD is known as a zoonic disease, meaning that it is spread between animals and humas. Fruit bats & African green monkeys are known to be natural hosts of the virus. Infection can occur through a bite, contact with blood, or ingesting uncooked meat. Infected persons (including children) can transmit the virus through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids (like saliva, urine, stools, vomit) on skin or mucous membranes. The virus can also spread through contaminated surfaces/linens. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data on viral haemorrhagic diseases in children, however research suggests their presentation is similar to adults.


The hallmark MVD symptom is bleeding from multiple areas including: nose, gums, and gut (noted in vomitus and/or stools). This symptom usually occurs between 5-7 days of contracting the virus. Additional symptoms may include: high fever, severe headache, extreme lethargy, muscle pain, diarrhoea, nausea & vomiting.


Treatment of infected persons is primarily supportive, meaning that there is no current vaccine prevention or specific antiviral treatment available. 


Paediatric considerations:

  • Hospitals are currently the main site of transmission. Keep pregnant & lactating woman away from hospitals as much as possible. Pregnant woman can transmit the virus to their unborn baby in utero; lactating mothers can transmit the virus to their babies and are advised to stop breast feeding till confirmed with 2 negative tests.
  • At current containment levels, children can still go to school and extramural activities. Please advise children (as much as possible) to be careful around the bodily fluids of their peers.
  • Please reinforce more frequent hand washing.


Up-to-date guidelines and further information may be found on the official Twitter account of the Rwandan Government’s Ministry of Health: https://x.com/rwandahealth


Myth busting

  • MVD is not airborne, so it cannot be spread through breathing the same air as infected persons.
  • The Marburg virus is only contagious once the symptoms are present. So, people who are infected and asymptomatic cannot unknowingly spread the disease.
  • Even though infectious rates are relatively low, some fatality rates can be as high as 90%.

Single Parenthood

By Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • October 4, 2026
"No legacy is so rich as honesty." William Shakespeare 

Healing childhood trauma

By Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • August 1, 2024
A heavy subject like this may carry a few assumptions, the most likely being that childhood trauma is an indictment of one’s parents—an understandably difficult notion with which to contend when one loves and respects their parents. Another likely assumption is an almost-reflexive instinct that says, “this cannot possibly apply to me; after all, I am a high-functioning individual”.

Gastroenteritis

By Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • July 15, 2024
Gastroenteritis is a term to describe inflammation in the stomach and/or small intestine. The causes are numerous, but in children the most common cause is viral infections.

Reparenting oneself

By Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • July 1, 2024
You may recall your childhood (including adolescence) as a “simpler time”—one where the toughest things included learning long division, making new friends and keeping your room tidy. “Right” from “wrong” was clear, and punishment was a simple consequence of stepping out of line. You may also be familiar with the saying, “children are meant to be seen and not heard”, which meant being perceived as perfect little angels who reflected how virtuous our parents were.

Upper respiratory tract infections

By Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • June 1, 2024
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) refers to infections in the throat, nasal passages, and even the ears (note: the ears are connected to the throat via the Eustachian tube). They are very common in children under 5 years of age, and are typically caused by viruses.